Democratic Northwest. [volume] (Napoleon, Ohio) 1869-1894, 1887-11-24
50 bright and dazzling that il made

I
The burning glass there, explained
the soldier, lis SO placed that it fires
the powder exactly at noon. 1t never
fails
The victim shuddered. There was
something horrible in the idea OF be-
ing killed by the bright luminary
whose rays had all his life given HIM
light and warmth.
he knew that even in the large
cities of Mexico what was called the
midday gun was fred in this ingen-
ious fashion during the dry season.
For si= months in q year there was
never cloud in the sky, and the
action of the lens was as sure as fate
itself. e.
The guard paced up and down his
beat, and Pierre was left to his medi-
tations.
He struggled until his strength was
gone, trying to loosen his bonds, but
it was useless.
His head fell upon his breast, and
he closed his eyes. But he could not
calm himself, and he again looked
around the square. All of the SOL
diers were marching off with the ex.
ception of one company. 1t was evi.
dent that the French were not sup.
posed to be in the neighborhood.
Stranger things have happened,
thought Pierre, Il may yet be rescued.
His eyes turned upward, and he
saw that the sun was almost directly
overhead.
He glanced down the gun to the
printing, and it seemed to him that
he could hear the fizzlng noise of the
powder.
The sun was intensely hot, and
this inspired terror.
Saints sbovev groaned the poor
wretch. 'On such day as this the
gun will 60 off ahead of timep
What did 1t matter2 A few min.
utes would not save him. The glass
shone with an internal brilliancy, ano
not speck of cloud was to be seen.
If ever l do get out of this, grunt
ed Pierre.
He did not say what he would do
There was no use In making an
promises.
Higher and higher in the heavens
moved the flaming orb. Surely il
was noon!
The half -fainting prisoner held hi
breath. The muscles of his face
twitched nervously, and his eyes were
fixed with an intense stare upon th'
other end of the gun.
Like the echo of an echo came ,
familiar sound waited upon thu
: mountain breezes.
'God!' gasped the miserable maj
through his pallid lips.
Was it a bugle2 Even if 1t was i
was too late. If relief came it woulc
have to be at once.
Louder, clearer, sounded the tri.
umphant note, giving forth the sweet
est ring that the listener had eve
heard. He threw his head back, ant
the light of hope and courage dancet
in his eyes.
4 The devil!' he shouted, whether
am saved or not, these yellow dog
will soon bite the dust!'
The Mexicans heard the Frencl
bugles, and IN another moment Quin
quambo was in q tumult of disorder
But the defenders of the town
weakened by the departure of thei
, comrades in the morning, were un
able to cope with anything like
strong force, and no sooner did tn
French dash through the outpost
than the Mexicans fed to the woods
fully half of them being shot down be
fore they reached shelter.
Pierre's bonds were cut by troop
er, who, with three whacks of hi
saber, set the prisoner free.
To Plerres immeasurable grati6
cation, Col. Campos and his com
/ mand had been captured on the wa,
and brought to town by the raiders.
Il must see him, said the spy, :
have little settlement to make will
him.
Boom.
'Sacre! yelled Pierre, 4 had for
gotten all about the gunl'
The smoke slowly lifted, and Oh th'
open side Of the plaza was seen
group of dead and dying Mexicans :
The discharge had occurred just a
! the prisoners were marching by.
One of the unfortunates was lyin,
on his face; but his uniform showed
, him to be an officer of high rank.
Pierre turned this man over, CAV
one look at his face, and then fell up
; ION his knees In prayer Of thanks
giving.
In the dead man he recognized Co
Campos. atlanta Constitution.